Criminal Justice System and Summary Convictions

Students will examine the issues, documentation and procedures (charging documents, bail and summary conviction trial procedure) required of paralegals when representing a client charged with a summary conviction offence and facing the potential of time in jail. Students will study the criminal justice system in Canada, with a focus on the Criminal Code, Charter of Rights, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Criminal Rules of the Ontario Court of Justice. In order to explain the elements of a crime and the role of the police, Crown and accused in criminal proceedings, students will explore investigatory powers, arrest, classification of offences, disclosure, sentencing and diversion.